| So you've made the decision to install a home | | | | Network installation |
| network and you're roaring and ready to go with | | | | The network installation part can be either easy |
| it. But have you done it before? Perhaps the | | | | or complicated. It depends on how you look at it. |
| dreams of not fighting over who can go online | | | | You have to have an internet connection and you |
| next, streamlining your office, and sharing files | | | | have to know your network type. You also have |
| with other computers in your home has you a bit | | | | to know what computers in your home are |
| excited. But do you know what type of network | | | | wireless capable and which are not in case you |
| is best for you? Do you know the basic principles | | | | choose to do the upgrades instead of installing |
| to installing a network in your home? Do you | | | | wire throughout your home. If you're setting up a |
| know how to set up a wireless network? If you | | | | wireless network, the easiest way to connect is if |
| answered "no" to any of these questions, then | | | | you have Windows Connect Technology through |
| perhaps you should read on. | | | | your Windows XP, Windows Vista, Windows |
| Network types | | | | 2000, or Windows 98/ME. Then again, you could |
| First of all, a network allows you to have multiple | | | | be running a different operating system, which |
| computers connected to the same internet | | | | can make setting up your network a bit more |
| connection, share files between the computers in | | | | difficult than if you were running on a Windows |
| your home, print documents through a printer | | | | operating system. |
| that is connected to a different computer, and | | | | An alternative |
| share files that are stored on other computers. It | | | | Then again, you could probably save yourself a lot |
| seems like a dream come true, doesn't it? But | | | | of headaches by hiring a professional to take care |
| what is the best type of network for you? You | | | | of the installation process. A professional will do an |
| have to make the decision of whether or not you | | | | assessment to determine what type of |
| want a wireless network or a wired network. If | | | | equipment you need to give you a network that |
| you choose wireless, you have to know how to | | | | is complete. If any of your computers need what |
| set it up so that all of the computers can talk | | | | is called a network adapter to become wireless |
| wirelessly to the network router. If not all of the | | | | capable, the installer can help you with that. Once |
| computers are wireless capable, then you may | | | | all of the equipment is determined and acquired, |
| have to move to a wired network. With a wired | | | | the network installer can then run wire or set up |
| network you have to worry about running wire | | | | your wireless network for you. You'll be |
| throughout your home or investing in upgrades | | | | connected in no time and the only thing you have |
| for your computers to make them wireless. | | | | to do is reach in your wallet. Fortunately, home |
| You also have to know what type of activities | | | | network installation is not an expensive endeavor |
| you and your family are going to be doing on all | | | | and it takes a lot off of your mind. You don't |
| of the computers. This is because you want to | | | | want to buy all of the wrong equipment, hook it |
| invest in a router that can handle the load. If the | | | | up, and then find nothing works. If you're not |
| router cannot handle the load, then you're going | | | | sure, turn to a professional so that you know |
| to have computers within your home getting | | | | everything is right. |
| booted off of the network. | | | | |